[PoV Yatagarasu]
After grasping the situation, we all walked through the bustling streets, searching for a place to eat as planned. The city was lively, with people bustling about their activities, their eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Not a single vacant or gloomy stare crossed their faces.
I smiled in relief, realizing that Linnie's father must have lifted his spell from the townsfolk. Or perhaps he had only bewitched those near the park? Regardless, I was grateful to see everyone safe.
We walked in silence, the atmosphere between us laden with awkwardness. Linnie's father made a few attempts to engage Fenrir or Linnie in conversation, but both girls ignored him, remaining resolutely silent. This only deepened the unease surrounding us.
I could only remain quiet, pondering what might have transpired between them while I was trapped in another dimension.
"Ah, let's eat there," Linnie's father said, pointing to a small tavern just a few meters away.
At first, no one responded to his suggestion. The two girls in front of me crossed their arms, turning their faces away from him. Seeing this, I decided to reply, hoping to end the awkward tension before it dragged on any longer.
"Very well," I said politely. "It seems no one objects to your suggestion," I added, blinking subtly to signal him to understand the moods of the sulking girls ahead of us.
He gave a small nod, catching the hint. "Alright, let's eat then."
We followed behind Linnie's father as he led us into the bustling tavern. His sharp gaze swept the room before heading toward an empty table in the corner.
"We'll sit over there," he said, pointing to the table.
We—or rather, I—agreed to his choice. Gently, I nudged the two sulking girls forward, prompting them to sit so we could resolve whatever issue was causing the tension.
The wooden table we chose was round, with four seats perfectly arranged for our group. Linnie's father sat across from me, while Fenrir and Linnie—who should have sat across from each other—dragged their chairs to my side instead.
Both girls clearly displayed their discomfort with Linnie's father, avoiding even the slightest eye contact with him.
Hello? Could someone bother to explain what exactly happened while I was stuck in that empty dimension?
Before I was trapped, I'd been told about the identity of the blue-haired man who turned out to be Linnie's father. But I knew nothing of what occurred during my confinement in his dark and hollow realm.
"Ah, I don't think I've introduced myself to all of you yet, have I?" Linnie's father broke the silence that had hung over us.
I nodded respectfully. Despite his seemingly careless demeanor, there was something about his aura, strong and imposing that made me instinctively wary and suspicious of him.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat before continuing. "My name is Loki, Linnie's father and the King of Udgard."
My eyes widened. I knew who this man was! Utgarda Loki or Loki of Udgard—a legend in Norse mythology. He was the king of Utgard, a cunning ruler with magic so powerful he had once tricked even Loki, Thor, and Thialfi.
A thin smirk curved on Loki's lips. "It seems you know a bit about me, young man?"
I exhaled, trying hard to regain my composure. But before I could respond, Fenrir suddenly interrupted with a sharp scoff.
"Tch, not just your actions—your names are even the same."
I shot a sharp glance at Fenrir, my heart racing as I realized she'd let slip something that could expose her true identity.
This is bad. If her secret gets out, I can't predict what might happen to us.
"The same name?" Loki repeated, his brow arching. "What do you mean, young lady?"
Fenrir scoffed again, irritation evident on her face.
"Your name is identical to—"
Reflexively, I clamped a hand over Fenrir's mouth before she could finish. If she kept talking, her secret might come to light.
"Hmph… hmph…"
Fenrir squirmed, but I refused to let her go. My mind raced with worry. Please, Fenrir, I get that you're upset just hearing his name. But for the love of everything, don't drag us into danger!
Loki's sharp eyes narrowed as he observed us. "What are you doing? Why are you silencing your friend? Are you hiding something?"
His question made Fenrir stop struggling. She growled low, glaring at me furiously. Sweat began to bead on my forehead—not from Fenrir's anger, but because Loki seemed to be growing suspicious of us.
"Y-Yeah… Actually, this foolish girl once named her pet cow after you," I stammered, fabricating an excuse on the spot. "I was worried it might offend you."
Loki's gaze grew flat, scrutinizing me as if trying to discern any lies. The silence that followed only heightened my anxiety.
Fortunately, the lively atmosphere of the tavern provided some distraction. Conversations buzzed around us, waiters bustled with trays of food and drinks, and the aroma of roasted meat and warm bread filled the air.
"Ha-ha-ha!"
Loki's booming laughter suddenly shattered the tension. All of us—Fenrir, Linnie, and I—turned to him in surprise.
"Your friend is amusing. Naming a cow after me? How funny! Cows are merely food, nothing more."
"Ah, you're right. She's a foolish and funny girl—"
"Ouch!"
I winced as Fenrir stomped on my foot. Clearly, she didn't appreciate me calling her foolish, even if it was to save us. But… am I wrong? She can be a bit foolish sometimes, right?
Maybe I got carried away. Awkwardly, I removed my hand from Fenrir's mouth. She huffed in annoyance, turning her face away. Her tail flicked sharply behind her—a sure sign of her anger.
I sighed. Fine, I'll tread more carefully next time. No girl likes being mocked, right?
"By the way, would you introduce yourselves to me?" Loki asked, his gaze shifting toward us.
"Don't you already know their names, Father?" Linnie interjected with a bitter tone, her distaste for him obvious.
The strained relationship between Loki and Linnie felt oddly similar to what I knew of Fenrir and her father.
What is this? Do all Lokis have bad relationships with their daughters?
"Hey, don't be so stiff with your own father, Linnie. I care about you deeply," Loki said, trying to act warm.
But instead of appreciating it, Linnie looked disgusted. She scowled at him.
"Stop embarrassing me in front of my friends, Father."
"Alright, alright," Loki said with an awkward grin. "I just want to get to know them properly." His gaze turned toward us, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
I bowed slightly and introduced myself. "My name is Yatagarasu, Lord Loki. But you can call me Yata."
"Yata, hmm..." Loki nodded thoughtfully before turning his attention to Fenrir. "And you, young lady? Would you mind introducing yourself?"
I nudged Fenrir lightly, urging her to respond. She softened her stance slightly, letting out a calming breath before replying.
"My name is Fenrys," she said tersely, her tone cold and curt, clearly reflecting her dislike for him.
"A beautiful name," Loki remarked simply.
Not long after, a young waitress approached our table with a friendly smile. Her hair was neatly braided, and she carried a cloth in her hand. "Good evening. How can I assist you?"
Loki smirked. "Bring us a whole roasted lamb, fresh bread, and a few bottles of wine. Don't forget hot soup and boiled vegetables for my friends here."
The waitress quickly jotted down the order. "Very well. I'll have that ready for you shortly."
Fenrir cheered softly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Food! Real food!"
I shook my head at her antics. Her appetite truly knew no bounds.
A short while later, the waitress returned with a large tray of food. The aroma of roasted lamb filled the air, making both Linnie and me swallow hard. Fenrir looked ready to pounce, but I tugged her shoulder to keep her seated.
"Please, enjoy your meal," the waitress said with a polite smile before leaving.
"Alright, what are you waiting for?" Loki grinned, raising his cup of wine. "Dig in, everyone!"
Without hesitation, Fenrir tore into the roasted lamb with enthusiasm, while Linnie and I tried to eat more politely. Even so, we couldn't entirely mask our hunger.
Loki chuckled in satisfaction, clearly enjoying the sight of us feasting. The earlier tension faded, replaced by an air of cheerfulness as we devoured the delicious meal.
*****
After finishing our meal, the three of us sat facing Loki with serious expressions, ready to hear what he had to say. The bustling atmosphere around us seemed to slow down and grow quieter. Once again, Loki appeared to have activated his magic without us noticing, intending to minimize as many external distractions as possible.
The man's expression was serious, with his fingers interlocked in front of his mouth. His narrowed eyes scrutinized us with a penetrating gaze. It made him appear authoritative, a stark contrast to the frivolous demeanor he had shown earlier.
"So... where should I begin?"
"Why is your name the same as—"
"What actually happened between you and Linnie?" I raised my voice deliberately to drown out Fenrir's reckless question.
After a moment of silence, Loki finally unclasped his hands and leaned back in his chair. His face remained serious, but his tone softened slightly.
"Linnie should already know why I've been searching for her up until now. Isn't that right?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Linnie gently.
Linnie frowned and lowered her gaze to avoid Loki's. Her hands clenched on her lap, and her ears turned red, betraying her suppressed emotions.
"Because I am a princess, and a princess is supposed to stay in the palace, right?" Her voice trembled, filled with bitterness.
Loki sighed, leaning forward to meet his daughter's eyes intently. "You're wrong."
That statement made Linnie snap her head up sharply. Her orange eyes gleamed with disbelief. "What do you mean? Isn't all the education, rules, and expectations you've imposed on me meant to make me the heir to the throne?"
"Wait, have you always thought I forced you into this, even if it's not what you wanted?" Loki's voice was calm, but there was a firmness in it that silenced everyone at the table. "Is that what you think of your own father?"
Linnie bit her lower lip, clearly struggling with an internal conflict. Fenrir and I exchanged glances, deciding to stay silent so as not to interrupt their conversation.
"Father..." Linnie finally spoke, her voice hoarse and filled with emotion. "Since I was little, I've always been told what I had to do. I learned etiquette, political strategies, and magic because it was my duty as the crown princess. Not once did I feel free to be myself. I... I just want to live like everyone else, Father. I want to experience freedom without the shadow of royal responsibilities!"
She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. "But I know that's impossible. I know you'll always see me as the heir to the throne, not as your child. That's why I ran away."
Loki remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. The tension between them made me unconsciously hold my breath. Even Fenrir, usually so outspoken, sat quietly, her tail still.
"Linnie, listen to me carefully." Loki finally spoke. "If freedom is what you want, then freedom is what you shall have."
Linnie gaped, clearly not believing what she had just heard. "What... what do you mean?"
"I mean, I agree with your wish," Loki replied casually. "If living freely is what you desire, I won't stand in your way."
"But... what about the royal throne?" Linnie asked, her tone panicked. Yet the hope for a free life was evident in her gleaming eyes.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll handle it," Loki said as he suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Linnie with his hands resting gently on her shoulders. "You are my daughter, Linnie. Not just the heir to the throne. Your happiness comes first to me."
Silence hung in the air. Linnie turned to look at her father, her eyes glassy with tears, as though she couldn't believe what she had just heard. "You... really allow me to live freely?"
"Of course," Loki answered without hesitation. "But with two conditions."
Linnie tensed. "What conditions?"
"First, you must occasionally return to visit your lonely father at the palace," Loki said with a small grin. "I can't let my only daughter vanish without a trace."
Linnie was silent for a moment, digesting his words before nodding slightly. "I accept the first condition. And the second?"
Loki's grin widened. "You can travel as you wish, but only after you turn twenty. Plus, you must become a master-level sorceress. The world out there is dangerous, and I don't want you facing it unprepared."
Linnie frowned. "That's... not an easy condition."
"Nothing in this world is easy, my child," Loki replied with a faint smile. "But I know you're capable. You have great potential."
Linnie fell silent, contemplating his conditions, before looking at him suspiciously. "Can you promise me, Father?"
"Do I need to use a blood contract?" Loki teased, though I had no idea what a blood contract was.
"No need." Linnie shook her head. "I trust you, Father."
Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly, determination lighting up her face.
"I'll do it. I'll become a great sorceress and earn my freedom." Her voice was filled with resolve, her fists clenched in front of her.
We all smiled, witnessing Linnie's determination. Although Loki initially seemed like a cold and enigmatic man, I could now see a different side of him—a father who just wanted his daughter to be happy.
Amid the warmth of the moment, Loki suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking at Fenrir and me. "Now, you must return to the palace first and focus on learning magic. Rest assured, no more noble etiquette or political lessons. Just magic."
A broad smile lit up Linnie's face at her father's words. "Alright, Father. This time, I won't argue anymore."
"Huh," Fenrir leaned back in her chair. "So it's all settled, huh?"
Loki turned his gaze toward the two of us.
"You two," he called. "Would you come to my kingdom as well? Think of it as repayment for taking care of my daughter. Don't worry, there will be plenty of food there."
"Food! Of course!"
I clenched my jaw. That man was sly; he baited Fenrir with food. Besides, he seemed aware that I couldn't refuse Fenrir's requests. Loki was incredibly clever, so there must be another reason he invited us to his palace. There had to be something about us that caught his attention.
When our eyes met, Loki flashed me a broad, mysterious grin. A grin that triggered my instincts to be on guard.
I have to be careful with him! I don't know what his plans are for us.